Role of adenosine deaminase in the early stages of precursor T cell maturation

The role of adenosine deaminase in the initial stages of precursor T cell differentiation was examined in patients with adenosine deaminase deficiency. Incubation of precursor T cells from adenosine deaminase-deficient patients directly in contact with thymic epithelial monolayers induced receptors for sheep erythrocytes (E rosettes). Pretreatment of these monolayers with erythro-9-(2-hydroxy-3-nonyl) adenine, an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, prevented differentiation only of adenosine deaminase-deficient T cell precursors, and this could be restored by providing adenosine deaminase following the incubation with thymic epithelial cells. These studies indicate a role for adenosine deaminase in the earliest stages of T cell differentiation.

Human T cell colony formation in microculture: analysis of growth requirements and functional activities

A microculture method in methylcellulose has been developed for the study of human T cell colony formation. The technique is simple, reliable, does not require preincubation with lectin and requires small numbers of cells. Colony formation was dependent on the presence of phytohemagglutin-conditioned medium, a T colony precursor cell (TCPC), and a "helper" or accessory T cell. Plating efficiency was increased 10-fold in the presence of irradiated feeder cells. Progenitors of the T colony cells were identified in peripheral blood, tonsil, and spleen but not in thymus or thoracic duct. They were isolated in the E-rosetting, theophylline-resistant, Fc-IgG-negative cell populations. In peripheral blood the frequency of TCPC and accessory cells, the T colony forming unit, was estimated to be 8 X 10(-3). Colony cells proliferated in response to lectins and allogeneic cells. Forty to 80% of the cells were Ia-positive and stimulated both autologous and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte responses. They were incapable of mediating antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. In contrast, they were effective in assays of spontaneous cytotoxicity but only against certain target cells. This method for the analysis of T colony formation should prove valuable in the functional analysis of T cell subsets in immunodeficiency states or the transplant recipient.

Human T cell colony formation in microculture: analysis of growth requirements and functional activities

A microculture method in methylcellulose has been developed for the study of human T cell colony formation. The technique is simple, reliable, does not require preincubation with lectin and requires small numbers of cells. Colony formation was dependent on the presence of phytohemagglutin-conditioned medium, a T colony precursor cell (TCPC), and a "helper" or accessory T cell. Plating efficiency was increased 10-fold in the presence of irradiated feeder cells. Progenitors of the T colony cells were identified in peripheral blood, tonsil, and spleen but not in thymus or thoracic duct. They were isolated in the E-rosetting, theophylline-resistant, Fc-IgG-negative cell populations. In peripheral blood the frequency of TCPC and accessory cells, the T colony forming unit, was estimated to be 8 X 10(-3). Colony cells proliferated in response to lectins and allogeneic cells. Forty to 80% of the cells were Ia-positive and stimulated both autologous and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte responses. They were incapable of mediating antibody-dependent cytotoxicity. In contrast, they were effective in assays of spontaneous cytotoxicity but only against certain target cells. This method for the analysis of T colony formation should prove valuable in the functional analysis of T cell subsets in immunodeficiency states or the transplant recipient.

Failure of T and B cell cooperation during graft-versus-host disease

Possible explanations for the immune deficiency usually associated with graft-versus-host disease include defective lymphocyte differentiation and active suppressor cell mechanisms. The present observations in a patient with chronic graft-versus-host disease delineate yet another possible mechanism: a failure of successful interaction between competent patient lymphocytes. Thus, helper and suppressor T cells as well as precursor B cells for the generation of specific in vitro plaque-forming cell (PFC) responses were present among patient lymphocytes and could interact normally with cells from four unrelated normal donors and produce PFC responses. In contrast, patient cells failed to interact successfully with each other and generate PFCs. This suggests a highly (self-) specific block in cell interaction that could explain the inability of the patient to mount a PFC response in vitro as well as a number of antibody responses in vivo during this phase of his disease.

The expression of deoxyguanosine toxicity in T lymphocytes at different stages of maturation

Different human T cell populations were assayed for susceptibility of DNA synthesis to inhibition by deoxyguanosine. T lymphocytes from the thymus were most sensitive to inhibition of proliferation by deoxyguanosine (90% inhibition at 10 microM deoxyguanosine). This exquisite sensitivity of thymocytes appeared related to an enhanced ability of these cells for uptake and phosphorylation of deoxyguanosine to deoxyGTP and by their reduced ability to degrade accumulated deoxyGTP. Compared to more mature T lymphocytes and B cells, thymocytes contained the highest level of the salvage enzyme deoxynucleoside kinase and the lowest level of the nucleotide degrading enzyme, 5'-nucleotidase. The present study suggests that the levels of these 2 enzymes can serve as differentiation markers, identifying T cells at various stages of maturation, and that the loss of sensitivity to deoxyguanosine toxicity may be a stepwise process. Further, a deficiency in purine nucleoside phosphorylase may preferentially interfere with T cell maturation at an intrathymic stage of T cell differentiation.

The expression of deoxyguanosine toxicity in T lymphocytes at different stages of maturation

Different human T cell populations were assayed for susceptibility of DNA synthesis to inhibition by deoxyguanosine. T lymphocytes from the thymus were most sensitive to inhibition of proliferation by deoxyguanosine (90% inhibition at 10 microM deoxyguanosine). This exquisite sensitivity of thymocytes appeared related to an enhanced ability of these cells for uptake and phosphorylation of deoxyguanosine to deoxyGTP and by their reduced ability to degrade accumulated deoxyGTP. Compared to more mature T lymphocytes and B cells, thymocytes contained the highest level of the salvage enzyme deoxynucleoside kinase and the lowest level of the nucleotide degrading enzyme, 5'-nucleotidase. The present study suggests that the levels of these 2 enzymes can serve as differentiation markers, identifying T cells at various stages of maturation, and that the loss of sensitivity to deoxyguanosine toxicity may be a stepwise process. Further, a deficiency in purine nucleoside phosphorylase may preferentially interfere with T cell maturation at an intrathymic stage of T cell differentiation.

Polyclonal activation of human lymphocytes in vitro. I. Characterization of the lymphocyte response to a T cell-independent B cell mitogen

The staphylococcal cell wall component protein A (SpA) and formalinized, Cowan I strain Staphylococcal organisms (STA) were compared with the lectins phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen for their ability to trigger proliferation of normal human lymphocytes, lymphocyte subpopulations, and cells from patients with primary immune deficiency diseases. SpA was found to be a potent T cell mitogen, very similar to the other lectins tested. It failed to stimulate purified non-T cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with different forms of severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID). STA, treated to prevent the leakage of soluble SpA during culture, exclusively stimulated non-T cells: the responding cell population was characterized to be E-rosette negative but positive for C3 receptors, surface Ia, a receptor for STA itself, and likely carried surface immunoglobulin. Normal responses to STA were found in patients with the adenosine deaminase-positive form of SCID. In 18 patients with humoral immune deficiency syndromes, the presence of STA responses was correlated with the presence of circulating, surface immunoglobulin-bearing cells. A commercial STA preparation was rendered B cell specific after reformalinization, a procedure that eliminated the shedding of soluble SpA under culture conditions.

Polyclonal activation of human lymphocytes in vitro. I. Characterization of the lymphocyte response to a T cell-independent B cell mitogen

The staphylococcal cell wall component protein A (SpA) and formalinized, Cowan I strain Staphylococcal organisms (STA) were compared with the lectins phytohemagglutinin, concanavalin A, and pokeweed mitogen for their ability to trigger proliferation of normal human lymphocytes, lymphocyte subpopulations, and cells from patients with primary immune deficiency diseases. SpA was found to be a potent T cell mitogen, very similar to the other lectins tested. It failed to stimulate purified non-T cells and peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with different forms of severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID). STA, treated to prevent the leakage of soluble SpA during culture, exclusively stimulated non-T cells: the responding cell population was characterized to be E-rosette negative but positive for C3 receptors, surface Ia, a receptor for STA itself, and likely carried surface immunoglobulin. Normal responses to STA were found in patients with the adenosine deaminase-positive form of SCID. In 18 patients with humoral immune deficiency syndromes, the presence of STA responses was correlated with the presence of circulating, surface immunoglobulin-bearing cells. A commercial STA preparation was rendered B cell specific after reformalinization, a procedure that eliminated the shedding of soluble SpA under culture conditions.

Polyclonal activation of human lymphocytes in vitro-II. Reappraisal of T and B cell-specific mitogens

The capacity of the T cell mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and Staphylococcus protein A (SpA) to induce B cell proliferation and differentiation was compared with the B cell mitogen, formalinized Staphylococcus aureus (STA). Lymphocyte subpopulations from normal donors and patients with various immunodeficiency diseases were studied. In the presence of the T cell mitogens, irradiated T cells were capable of providing a helper cell activity that enabled co-cultured B lymphocytes to proliferate in response to these mitogens and to differentiate into IgM-secreting (direct) hemolytic plaque-forming cells (PFC). In the PFC response, radioresistant T-helper and radiosensitive T-suppressor cell activities could be demonstrated. T-suppressor cell activity outweighed helper activity only in nonirradiated co-cultures stimulated with Con A. Patients with severe combined immunodeficiency lacked mitogen-induced helper T cells, whereas patients with various forms of humoral immune deficiency were normal in this respect. These findings and the tissue distribution of the helper activity is aquired early in post-thymic T cell differentiation. The data suggest that experiments with cell lineage-specific lymphocyte mitogens should be considered in the context of more complex cell-cell interactions.

Polyclonal activation of human lymphocytes in vitro-II. Reappraisal of T and B cell-specific mitogens

The capacity of the T cell mitogens phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and Staphylococcus protein A (SpA) to induce B cell proliferation and differentiation was compared with the B cell mitogen, formalinized Staphylococcus aureus (STA). Lymphocyte subpopulations from normal donors and patients with various immunodeficiency diseases were studied. In the presence of the T cell mitogens, irradiated T cells were capable of providing a helper cell activity that enabled co-cultured B lymphocytes to proliferate in response to these mitogens and to differentiate into IgM-secreting (direct) hemolytic plaque-forming cells (PFC). In the PFC response, radioresistant T-helper and radiosensitive T-suppressor cell activities could be demonstrated. T-suppressor cell activity outweighed helper activity only in nonirradiated co-cultures stimulated with Con A. Patients with severe combined immunodeficiency lacked mitogen-induced helper T cells, whereas patients with various forms of humoral immune deficiency were normal in this respect. These findings and the tissue distribution of the helper activity is aquired early in post-thymic T cell differentiation. The data suggest that experiments with cell lineage-specific lymphocyte mitogens should be considered in the context of more complex cell-cell interactions.

Inhibition of suppressor T-cell development following deoxyguanosine administration

The expression of immunodeficiency in patients with specific purine enzyme defects indicates a crucial role of the purine salvage pathway in the acquisition and expression of normal immune function. One current hypothesis links the failure of normal lymphocyte development in these diseases to the accumulation of deoxynucleotide triphosphates. In our studies of human in vitro IgM responses, we observed that antigen-induced T-suppressor cell activity was abrogated in the presence of micromolar concentrations of deoxyguanosine (dGuo). In contrast, more than 1,000-fold higher resistance to dGuo was found for both noin-proliferative T-helper cell activity and the differentiation and proliferation of the precursor B lymphocytes for direct haemolytic plaque forming cells (PFC). To determine whether these observations could have in vivo relevance, we monitored the generation of murine T-suppressor cells, capable of abrogating a primary IgM response. It was found that dGuo (but not guanosine) selectively inhibited the in vivo development of T-suppressor cells.

Microtubule assembly and conanavalin A capping in lymphocytes: reappraisal using normal and abnormal human peripheral blood cells

We have analyzed the assembly of microtubules and the distribution of concanavalin A(Con A)-receptor complexes in the same populations of human peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes. We hoped to resolve the prolonged controversy over the relationship of microtubules to Con A cap formation in lymphocytes and to explain the abnormally high spontaneous and colchicine-induced Con A capping that was observed recently in lymphocytes from a patient with an inherited form of severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) characterized by total immunologic dysfunction despite normal numbers and distribution of T and B cells. The data establish that (i) microtubule disassembly is correlated with enhanced Con A cap formation on normal human lymphocytes; (ii) T and B cells differ significantly from each other and from circulating polymorphonuclear leukocytes with respect to their capping responses after exposure to colchicine; and (iii) there is an abnormal relationship of microtubule assembly to surface topography in the functionally defective SCID cells.

Identification of Ia on a subpopulation of human T lymphocytes that stimulate in a mixed lymphocyte reaction

The delineation of discrete subpopulations of human T lymphocytes has permitted preliminary analyses of the complex cellular network regulating the immune response in man. We previously showed that a subset of T lymphocytes, designated as theophylline-sensitive because of their inability to bind sheep red blood cells in the presence of the drug, are responsible for antigen-specific suppression or regulation in an in vitro plaque-forming cell assay. We now show that 25 to 45% of these theophylline-sensitive T cells were Ia-positive by immunofluorescence with a rabbit antiserum raised against purified B lymphoblast surface antigenic material. These data suggested that 4 to 7% of peripheral blood T cells carry Ia determinants. The presence of Ia determinants on this T cell subset was confirmed by gel analysis of radioiodinated surface material. Furthermore, in mixed lymphocyte culture, the theophylline-sensitive cells demonstrated HLA-D determinants and were 10-fold more potent stimulators than equal numbers of B lymphocytes. The presence of Ia determinants on these T cells indicates the expression of major histocompatibility complex-related regulatory gene products on a specific human T lymphocyte subpopulation.

Identification of Ia on a subpopulation of human T lymphocytes that stimulate in a mixed lymphocyte reaction

The delineation of discrete subpopulations of human T lymphocytes has permitted preliminary analyses of the complex cellular network regulating the immune response in man. We previously showed that a subset of T lymphocytes, designated as theophylline-sensitive because of their inability to bind sheep red blood cells in the presence of the drug, are responsible for antigen-specific suppression or regulation in an in vitro plaque-forming cell assay. We now show that 25 to 45% of these theophylline-sensitive T cells were Ia-positive by immunofluorescence with a rabbit antiserum raised against purified B lymphoblast surface antigenic material. These data suggested that 4 to 7% of peripheral blood T cells carry Ia determinants. The presence of Ia determinants on this T cell subset was confirmed by gel analysis of radioiodinated surface material. Furthermore, in mixed lymphocyte culture, the theophylline-sensitive cells demonstrated HLA-D determinants and were 10-fold more potent stimulators than equal numbers of B lymphocytes. The presence of Ia determinants on these T cells indicates the expression of major histocompatibility complex-related regulatory gene products on a specific human T lymphocyte subpopulation.

Characterization of lithium effects on two aspects of T-cell function

Cell surface receptors receive, transduce and relay a variety of environmental signals. These phenomena, which have been extensively characterized in non-lymphoid cells, also appear to play a crucial role in dictating the degree of lymphocyte responsiveness. The nature of these regulatory events is only beginning to be unraveled but the adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP axis appears to be one of the important controlling systems. Lithium appears to be as important a modulator of lymphocyte responsiveness as previously shown for a variety of other cells and the mechanism of action, in general, is consistent with its role as a putative blocker of adenylate cyclase activation. Indeed, lithium may exert its role as a regulator of lymphocyte responsiveness by acting on specific lymphocyte subpopulations. Direct proof for this is still wanting and consideration of its capacity for action as an imperfect substitute for normal extra- or intracellular cations or on the physiochemical state of the plasma membrane is necessary. Nevertheless, these studies indicate the validity of using lithium for assessing the role of the lymphocyte adenylate cyclase-cyclic AMP system in the generation and expression of regulatory signals leading to modulation of the immune system.

Abnormal lymphocyte capping in a patient with severe combined immunodeficiency disease

Despite the presence of normal numbers and distribution of T and B lymphocutes and normal levels of serum immunoglobulins, a five-month-old infant failed to show any evidence of T-cell or B-cell immunity. In trying to identify a specific membrane abnormality as a potential cause of the immunologic dysfunction, we examined the lateral mobility of the cell-surface receptor for concanavalin A. In contrast to normal cells, in which the receptor is distributed uniformly over the cell surface, the patient's lymphocytes showed an unusually high accumulation of concanavalin A receptors in surface caps. This capping abnormality appeared in both T and B lymphocytes and was exaggerated by colchicine, an inhibitor of microtubule assembly. These findings support the theory that plasma-membrane-cytoskeleton interactions have a role in the expression of specific immunity; the findings also identify new areas that should be considered in trying to understand the primary immunodeficiency diseases.

Quantitation of human thymus/leukemia-associated antigen by radioimmunoassay in different forms of leukemia

Using a radioimmunoassay, increased levels of a human thymus/leukemia-associated antigen (HThy-L) have been detected in leukemic cells and plasma from most patients with E-rosette-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and a number of patients with E-rosette-negative ALL, acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML), acute monomyelocytic leukemia (AMML), and acute undifferentiated leukemia (AVL). Low levels of HThy-L have been demonstrated in white cells from patients with chronic myelocytic leukemia (stable phase) and in mononuclear cells from patients with chronic lymphatic leukemia. The relationship between HThy-L and differentiation of hematopoietic cells is discussed.

Identification of two serum components regulating the expression of T-lymphocyte function in childhood myasthenia gravis

We studied serums and cells from nine children with myasthenia gravis to determine whether there were alterations in the distribution or function of different T-lymphocyte subpopulations. The low numbers of E-rosette-forming T lymphocytes and their failure to respond to antigen by producing normal suppressor T cells were correlated with the presence of an IgG antibody directed toward the theophylline-sensitive T-cell subset; this activity could be blocked by d-tubocurarine. Incubation of normal T lymphocytes with serum from patients rendered the cells "myasthenia-like" when assayed for E-rosettes and for antigen-induced suppressor-cell function. A second, non-IgG factor found in patients' serums had activity like that of thymic hormone and induced T-cell maturation in normal bone marrow. This factor was not inhibited by d-tubocurarine; its activity was strongest in the two patients most severely affected, and it disappeared after thymectomy in both these patients. We conclude that in childhood myasthenia gravis there may be two independent serum factors; one an IgG antibody directed at a subset of T lymphocytes, blocked by d-tubocurarine and apparently unaffected by thymectomy, and the other a thymus factor that induces T-lymphocyte maturation.

Role of surface IgM and IgD in the functional differentiation of human B lymphocytes: effect of papain treatment

Short-term treatment of normal human B lymphocytes with low concentrations of papain resulted in selective and reversible removal of sIgD determinants, whereas HLA and Ia-like antigens, sIgM as well as receptors for E, C3, and FcIgG were unaffected. When studied for their capacity to generate antigen-specific direct PFC, papain-treated (delta-) B cells were highly sensitive to inactivation by even low concentrations of antigen. In addition, these cells were impaired in their ability to cooperate normally with T-helper cells or their humoral product(s).

Distribution of 5'-nucleotidase in human lymphoid tissues

Low activity of 5'-nucleotidase (5'-ribonucleotide phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.5) in T lymphoblasts may explain the marked sensitivity of this cell to deoxynucleotide accumulation when compared to B lymphoblasts. The relevance of such observations with cultured cells to the normal immune system requires the demonstration of similar differences in the 5'-nucleotidase activity of normal human lymphocyte subpopulations. Sheep erythrocyte (E) rosette-forming cells from normal thymus, tonsil, and peripheral mononuclear cells have 5'-nucleotidase activities of 1.7, 11.3, and 21.2 nmol/hr per 10(6) cells. Non-E-rosette forming cells from the peripheral blood or tonsil have 5'-nucleotidase activity comparable to the higher levels found in the peripheral E-RFC. Increased levels of 5'-nucleotidase activity may be a marker for post-thymic T lymphocytes. T lymphoblasts have 5'-nucleotidase activity similar to values demonstrated for E-RFC in thymus, whereas cultured B lymphoblasts have 5'-nucleotidase activity 15 times greater than that of T lymphoblasts. On the basis of these observations, the 5'-nucleotidase deficiency in congenital agammaglobulinemia has been reevaluated. In these patients the data indicate that peripheral E-rosette forming cells have the enzyme deficiency, demonstrating an abnormality of T lymphocytes in this disorder of immunoglobulin production.

Selective toxicity of purine deoxynucleosides for human lymphocyte growth and function

A role for the enzymes adenosine deaminase (adenosine aminohydrolase, EC 3.5.4.4) and purine-nucleoside phosphorylase (purine-nucleoside:orthophosphate ribosyl-transferase, EC 2.4.2.1) in the functional maturation of lymphoid cells has been revealed by the association of inherited deficiencies of these enzymes and profound immune deficiency. Previous studies have suggested that the selective toxicity for lymphocytes may be mediated by the accumulation of toxic deoxynucleoside metabolites, likely through the action of specific kinases enriched in lymphoid cells. In order to study possible mechanisms whereby lymphocyte function may be impaired in these disorders, we have studied the effect of nucleosides and their deoxy analogues on both T and B lymphocyte growth and function. In the presence of deoxyguanosine, there was marked inhibition of T lymphoblast growth, phytohem-agglutinin-induced cell proliferation, and T suppressor cell activity. T helper cell activity and the differentiation of B cells to an antibody-secreting stage were unaffected. Deoxyadenosine was much less inhibitory, but in the presence of an inhibitor of adenosine deaminase, its effects on lymphocyte growth and function were markedly potentiated. The addition of deoxycytidine prevented deoxyadenosine toxicity in all assays, whereas it only interfered with deoxyguanosine effects on T lymphoblast growth. These studies provide some initial understanding for the selective loss of specific lymphocyte functions in individuals with inborn errors of purine metabolism.

Lithium: a modulator of cyclic AMP-dependent events in lymphocytes?

Theophylline, salbutamol, isoproterenol, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP inhibited E-rosette formation by human T lymphocytes and immunoglobulin M secretion from human plaque-forming B cells and augmented T-suppressor cell activity in three patients with agammaglobulinemia. Lithium chloride increased mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and inhibited suppressor cell activity. In the presence of lithium, the effects of all the drugs except dibutyryl cyclic AMP could be prevented. The data suggest a role for lithium in the modulation of cyclic AMP-dependent events in lymphocytes. Its potential role as an inhibitor of suppressor cell activity warrants further attention.

Severe combined immunodeficiency disease: a model of T-cell dysfunction

Studies in three patients with severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) and normal adenosine deaminase demonstrated that the combined defect of both T- and B-lymphocyte function may reflect the lack of normal maturation of thymic epithelial cells. This results in the failure of initiation of T-cell differentiation and consequent failure of T-cell dependent maturation of B-lymphocytes to an antibody-secreting stage. SCID B lymphocytes were shown to be capable of generating a specific IgM-antibody response to two T-cell-dependent antigens in vitro under either of the following conditions: (a) provision of autologous T-helper cells which were induced following incubation of precursor cells on monolayers of cultured human thymic epithelium or (b) in the presence of allogeneic T-helper cells. Specific IgM anti-ovalbumin (OA) responses were also generated in the absence of provided T-helper cells when the antigen was insolubilized (Sepharose-OA). The antibody-secreting cells and their circulating precursors carried surface IgM, HLA and Ia-like determinants and proliferated in response to antigen. Identification of this form of SCID may be important when considering therapy and provides an excellent model for the study of the T-cell-dependent acquisition and expression of B-cell immunity.

Functional differentiation of B lymphocytes in agammaglobulinemia. III. Characterization of spontaneous suppressor cell activity

The addition of fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBL) from four of seven patients with agammaglobulinemia to generated hemolytic plaque-forming cells (PFC) resulted in a dose-dependent suppression of PFC. This spontaneous suppressor cell activity (SSA) was restricted to the four patients who could generate a PFC response in vitro. SSA was mediated by a small subset of E-rosetting T lymphocytes characterized by theophylline-sensitive E-receptors and surface receptors for Fc-IgG. The effects of SSA were temperature dependent and reversible, and pokeweed mitogen could prevent the rapid decline of SSA observed during culture. Augmentation of SSA was achieved by agents known to increase intracellular levels of cyclic AMP, whereas lithium chloride abrogated SSA, including the drug-induced effects. Cells mediating SSA may play a role in preventing the normal transition of pre-B cells to B cells in patients with agammaglobulinemia without B lymphocytes.

Theophylline modulation of E-rosette formation: an indicator of T-cell maturation

The binding of unsensitized sheep erythrocytes is a characteristic of human thymus dependent T-lymphocytes. We have investigated the effect of theophylline on E-rosette formation using cells from normal individuals, and patients with immunodeficiency or acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, and have attempted to correlate the influence of the drug on distinct T-lymphocyte subpopulations. Three subpopulations of E-rosetting T-lymphocytes can be delineated: theophylline-sensitive T-cells which lose the capacity to form E-rosettes following treatment; theophylline-resistant T-cells which are unaffected by the drug; and theophylline-dependent cells which acquire the ability to form E-rosettes following incubation with theophylline. The action of theophylline was shown to be dose-dependent, temperature-dependent and reversible. Reversibility or re-expression of the receptor for sheep red cells could be blocked by the addition of puromycin. In peripheral blood, E-rosetting T-lymphocytes were roughly divided into two equal populations, one sensitive, the other resistant. Thymocytes were shown to be entirely theophylline-resistant, whereas a small population of cells in peripheral blood and bone marrow were induced to become E-rosetting in the presence of theophylline. Induction by theophylline may be effective at a distinct stage of precursor T-cell differentiation.

Partial purine nucleoside phosphorylase deficiency. Studies of lymphocyte function

Immune function in two brothers with a deficiency of purine nucleoside phosphorylase was evaluated in vivo and in vitro. Both patients had a history of recurrent infections and profound lymphopenia. Studies of cell-mediated immunity revealed an absence of delayed cutaneous reactivity to a number of antigens, including dinitrochlorobenzene, and significantly reduced lymphocyte proliferative responses to nonspecific mitogens, specific antigen, and allogeneic cells. E-rosetting cells were present but reduced in number (20.0% and 31.5%). Serum immunoglobulin levels, percentages of circulating immunoglobulin-and C3-receptor-bearing B cells, as well as the ability to produce antibody in response to specific antigen in vivo were normal. Moreover, studies of the in vitro induction of specific IgM antibody delineated the presence of T-helper and T-regulator cells. The normal induction of bone marrow precursor T-cell maturation by human thymic epithelium-conditioned medium or thymosin suggested that the initial stages of T-cell generation were intact in these patients. Attempts to reconstitute the in vitro proliferative response with a variety of reagents, including purine nucleoside phosphorylase itself, were unsuccessful. Selective impairment of certain aspects of T-cell function in these patients and a less severe clinical picture than previously described may be explained by the presence of a partial deficiency of nucleoside phosphorylase activity and incomplete block of purine catabolism.

Normal B-lymphocyte function in patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome and HGPRT deficiency

Immunological and biochemical studies were carried out in two patients with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. No abnormalities of T- or B-lymphocyte function could be demonstrated in the presence of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) deficiency.

Preparation of colony stimulating activity from large batches of human urine and production of antisera against it

In vitro induction of myelopoetic colonies from mouse bone marrow has been used for measurement of leucopoetic colony stimulating activity (CSA) isolated from large batches of human urine. After high flow dialysis in artificial kidneys and immediate adsorption to DEAE-Cellulose, followed by purification on Con A-Sepharose, treatment with insoluble Papain and gelfiltration on Sephadex G 100, enrichment of CSA was about 6,000-fold. An important step of the enrichment procedure was the separation from a CSA-inhibiting protein, probably combining with CSA. Specific activity was further increased by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to 5.3 X 10(6) units per mg protein. The total enrichment exceeded 25,000-fold. The final purification product consisted of a group of closely related proteins with high specific activity. Antisera raised with one of the electrophoretic fractions suppressed bioactivity in each of the different purification steps including the final CSA fractions differing in electrophoretic mobility. The antisera furthermore inhibited CSA in human lung and monocyte conditioned media but had only very little effect on partially purified CSA from stimulated human lymphocytes as well as CSA derived from mouse lung conditioned medium.

Functional differentiation of B lymphocytes in congenital agammaglobulinemia. I. Generation of hemolytic plaque-forming cells

Despite the absence of B lymphocytes, peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from four of five patients with congenital agammaglobulinemia (cAgamma) generated a specific hemolytic plaque-forming cell (HcPFC) response in vitro to sheep red blood cells and ovalbumin. The kinetics, antigenic, and cellular requirements were similar to normals, but significantly less HcPFC were found in patient cultures. Normal but not patient HcPFC-precursor cells were inactivated by treatment with anti-mu antisera whereas generated HcPFC in both controls and patients were sensitive to treatment with anti-mu. Pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and dextran sulfate (DXS) enhanced the HcPFC-response of normal PBL; cAgamma-cells were unresponsive to DxS and, in the presence of PWM, the development of HcPFC was inhibited. These findings indicate the presence of B lymphocyte precursors in the majority of patients with cAgamma investigated.

Functional differentiation of B lymphocytes in congenital agammaglobulinemia. II. Immunochemical analysis of the in vitro primary immune response

Cultures of peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) in which specific hemolytic plaque-forming cells (HcPFC) had been induced were labeled with 14C-amino acids. Antigen-specific products in the culture supernatants were characterized by using indirect immune precipitation in conjunction with specific immunoabsorbents and/or gel filtration followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. After 5 days of culture with antigen (sheep red blood cells or ovalbumin) newly synthesized IgM and specific IgM antibody were demonstrated in culture supernatants from normal donors and from four out of five patients with congenital agammaglobulinemia (cAgamma). Secreted products bound specifically to antigen and pretreatment of labeled supernatants with anti-mu and anti-L chain antisera, but not with anti-gamma antiserum, prevented binding. Typical mu- and L chains constituted only a proportion of the anigen-binding peptides recognized by the anti-mu reagents. Induction of IgM antibody synthesis was dependent on the presence of antigen and was correlated with the generation of HcPFC. No major differences between the antigen-induced products of cAgamma and normal PBL were observed. These findings suggest that in the absence of terminal B cell differentiation in vivo, certain patients with cAgamma possess precursor cells that can respond to antigen in vitro with the synthesis of specific humoral products, including IgM antibody.

In vitro induction and measurement of hemolytic plaque forming cells in man

Following co-cultivation with sheep red cells or ovalbumin, Hypaque-Ficoll-separated human tonsillar lymphocytes were demonstrated to generate specific hemolytic PFC with maximum numbers at day 5-7. PFC were enumerated on poly-L-lysine coupled red cell monolayers in Microtest-II-plates. Plaque formation appeared to be puromycin-sensitive, complement-dependent and showed clear specificity for the antigen present during the inductive culture. Treatment of PFC with mu-chain specific antisera and complement resulted in complete inactivation of PFC; gamma-chain antisera had no effect. The development of such a simple and sensitive assay system permits the analysis of cellular interactions required for the induction of PFC responses in man.